“Sweeping” is term used when an individual performs an act of unsafe firearms handling. The muzzle (where the bullet leaves a firearm when the cartridge is fired) is aimed at someone’s body part.

Civilian firearms owners that participate in things like IPSC have it pounded into their heads that ‘sweeping” is a very bad thing to do. It can get a particpant disqualified from competing. It is unacceptable when a firearm is unloaded and even more so when a firearm is loaded. It is poor discipline and carelessness. That is what gets people hurt. Complacency and stupidity.

Stuff happens. I’m not going to deny it. Broadcasting it is really really dumb. Especially when some people go out of their way to fearmonger and scare the uneducated population with misleading and erronous information as part of a Public Relations stunt.

I am also aware of a friend that is a Peace Officer that spent quite a few months with his life and career on hold because of an alledged incident of “sweeping” during a training session. He was also criminally charged for the alledged incident. The issue was resolved and not without some grief and heartache in the meantime.

Here’s a story about a civilian. Note the Section 87 charge under the Criminal Code of Canada.

For your fund of general information –

“…Generic Secondary Offences Sec. 487.04(a)
(Criminal Code offences that are prosecuted by indictment for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more.)

87. (1) Every person commits an offence who, without lawful﻿ excuse, points a firearm at another person, whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded.
Punishment
(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1)
(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or
(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

The Canada Firearms Safety Course is VERY explicit about muzzle control and safe handling of firearms. In fact, if you screw up the practical safe handling demonstration portion of the test? YOU GET FAILED AND DO NOT GET A LICENSE.

The NRA has three rules that are the core of every course taught involving firearms. Muzzle control and pointing is one of the BIG THREE of safe firearms handling. WHETHER LOADED OR UNLOADED.

When I was a young infantryman and you swept another man? It was guaranteed you would be put through some hell for doing it. The “discussion” afterwards with the man you swept could be very educating if it was “pounded” into your head…

Only the police and military should have guns…

Cst. Jenkins? You owe that cameraman a huge apology…for starters.

I don’t want you on or at any range or firearms related event I might be attending. EVER.

Doing a job that is generally thankless IS NOT a license to violate either safe handling practices or sections of the Criminal Code of Canada.